A group founded in 1934 by First World War veterans, the Duchess of Kent Legion is in danger of losing its home.

The building at 499 Hill St. is for sale and the Duchess of Kent faces the threat of closing — membership isn’t high enough to sustain the costs of such a large structure.

“We can’t afford to keep this building operating with the membership we have,” president Bob Marshall said.

“Our membership is up there in age, people have moved, transferred to other branches,” he said.

That’s a trend echoed throughout London — and across the province — zone commander Brian Harris said. He’s responsible for legion branches in London and Dorchester.

In 2001, the secretary-treasurer of the Duchess of Kent was caught stealing more than $60,000 from the branch. She was charged in 2004, but the group has continued to face the financial consequences.

Members hope an investor will come forward and lease the space back to the legion.

It’s a chance for the community to give back to a legion that’s offered endless support to the neighbourhood and wider community.

It’s a place for friends to meet, newlyweds to celebrate, members to raise money, and perhaps most importantly, a place for aging and ailing veterans — facing continued cuts to federal services — to find a family.

The Duchess of Kent members spend every Christmas morning handing out gifts to veterans at Parkwood Hospital. They bring those same veterans to 499 Hill St. weekly.

“This is a place where they can come and sit and talk with other people,” Marshall said. He also emphasized the legion is open to everyone, not just veterans.

It’s a community lifeline, sending kids to sports tournaments, providing academic bursaries, and focusing on near-constant community service.

That won’t end, no matter the outcome of the building, Marshall said.

“We are not going away. We will be here somewhere.”

As the Duchess of Kent approaches its 80th birthday in September, its members and the veterans who depend on the Legion are crossing their fingers for many more.